Oxytocin effects on socially transmitted food preferences are moderated by familiarity between rats.

ABSTRACT:

Rationale

In the socially transmitted food preference (STFP) paradigm, rats change their preference for food rewards after socially interacting with a conspecific who has been fed with the originally non-preferred food. Here, we asked if oxytocin (OXT), a neuropeptide known for its role in social affiliation and social behavior, plays a role in STFP. Since OXT's influences on social behavior can be familiarity-dependent, we further asked if OXT effects on STFP are moderated by the familiarity between rats.

Objectives

Does OXT modulate rats' socially transmitted food choices in a familiarity-dependent way.

Methods

We systemically injected either vehicle, low-dose (0.25 mg/kg) of OXT, or large-dose (1.0 mg/kg) of OXT before social interaction with either a familiar cage

SUBMITTER: Noguer-Calabus I 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11775072 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature